Codiene

Gael23

Ive been given a short course of Solpadol which contain both Paracetamol and Codeine. I was wondering what the Codeine does? All my GP said is that it will make me constipated:eek: but does it actually treat pain or just make you sleep it off?

L1011

It "treats" (in so far as any painkiller does) pain, its a opiate painkiller.

Gael23

L1011 wrote: »

It "treats" (in so far as any painkiller does) pain, its a opiate painkiller.

It contains paracetamol as well so does the codeine just provide more relief than if you just took plain paracetamol?

gctest50

ryanf1 wrote: »

It contains paracetamol as well so does the codeine just provide more relief than if you just took plain paracetamol?

afaik one reason the paracetamol is in it so if someone develops a habit and starts taking too much - the paracetamol will make them

unwell

other reason is obv you get two painkillers in one

tis great for the liver transplant trade though :

In conclusion, acetaminophen hepatotoxicity far exceeds other
causes of acute liver failure in the United States. Susceptible patients have concomitant depres-
sion, chronic pain, alcohol or narcotic use, and/or take several preparations simultaneously.

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/hep.20948/pdf

.

L1011

ryanf1 wrote: »

It contains paracetamol as well so does the codeine just provide more relief than if you just took plain paracetamol?

Generally. Some people do not get much relief from codeine but that'd be something you'd need to discuss with the prescriber really.

Tree

It's also used as a cough suppressant.

The Peanut

I worked in a pharma plant which manufactured Paracetamol/Codeine tablets. Paracetamol is widely prescribed as it is very effective at providing pain relief; ie, it helps to block nerves which carry pain impulses to the brain. Codeine is a complementary medecine as it is effective in reducing the brain'e awareness of the pain impulses.

Some of the codeine is actually converted to morphine in the body; one of the main reasons why codeine usage is controlled!

Gael23

I've been given 40 tablets and told to take 1-2 every 4-6 hours. I also have to take Diclofenac as well up to 3 times a day.
Im getting my wisdom teeth out btw.

The Peanut

ryanf1 wrote: »

I've been given 40 tablets and told to take 1-2 every 4-6 hours. I also have to take Diclofenac as well up to 3 times a day.
Im getting my wisdom teeth out btw.

Diclofenac is an anti-inflammatory; you probably knew that though. Wisdom teeth - ouch!!

Greenmachine

ryanf1 wrote: »

I've been given 40 tablets and told to take 1-2 every 4-6 hours. I also have to take Diclofenac as well up to 3 times a day.
Im getting my wisdom teeth out btw.

Is that why you have this prescription. Suprised to see diclofenac there if it is as it thins the blood. It might make it hard for the blood to clot from the extraction site. The solpodol is nothing to worry about, it is an over the counter medicine containing two type on pain killers.

The patent care leaflet should contain all the info you need on the solpodol. If you need any more info you are best speaking with your pharmacist.

Gael23

The Peanut wrote: »

Diclofenac is an anti-inflammatory; you probably knew that though. Wisdom teeth - ouch!!

Does it also treat pain or just work as an anti-inflammatory? Diclac is the tablet I have. I'm Getting all 4 out under GA!

The Peanut

ryanf1 wrote: »

Does it also treat pain or just work as an anti-inflammatory? Diclac is the tablet I have. I'm Getting all 4 out under GA!

Yes it does.

palmcut

Greenmachine wrote: »

Is that why you have this prescription. Suprised to see diclofenac there if it is as it thins the blood. It might make it hard for the blood to clot from the extraction site. The solpodol is nothing to worry about, it is an over the counter medicine containing two type on pain killers.

The patent care leaflet should contain all the info you need on the solpodol. If you need any more info you are best speaking with your pharmacist.

Solpadol is prescription only.
Solpadeine is a pharmacist only sale.

Gael23

Greenmachine wrote: »

Is that why you have this prescription. Suprised to see diclofenac there if it is as it thins the blood. It might make it hard for the blood to clot from the extraction site. The solpodol is nothing to worry about, it is an over the counter medicine containing two type on pain killers.

The patent care leaflet should contain all the info you need on the solpodol. If you need any more info you are best speaking with your pharmacist.

Yes it is. I'll be getting stitches though so that might stem any bleeding. When I saw the consultant, the prescription was pre printed so all she did was write my name on it and sign it so I'm guessing it's her standard protocol.
Last time I had an operation I was given Solpadiene which have a quarter of the amount of Codiene than solpadol in them and the pain from being constipated was nearly as bad as that from the surgery so that's what I'm most worried about really.

Greenmachine

palmcut wrote: »

Solpadol is prescription only.
Solpadeine is a pharmacist only sale.

Apoligies solpadol is indeed prescription. Misread the OP. Slightly embarassed by that as I have even been prescribe solpadol before.

his_dudeness

Something to look forward too

Gael23

his_dudeness wrote: »

Something to look forward too

Is that a hint on how much this is going to hurt?

Vorsprung

ryanf1 wrote: »

Is that a hint on how much this is going to hurt?

Don't ask for medical advice or an interpretation of your situation ryanf, the guys have been helpful so far to explain things but making it any more personal than it is will result in the thread being closed.

his_dudeness

ryanf1 wrote: »

Is that a hint on how much this is going to hurt?

Just more of an explanation why your doctor would have given you that prescription instead of an alternative.

Gael23

3 days on them now. They make me feel a bit wiped out for a while but haven't fallen straight asleep after a dose yet. Its more that my bowels haven't budged (sorry TMI) since I started taking them but I was warned of that.

locum-motion

ryanf1 wrote: »

... Its more that my bowels haven't budged (sorry TMI) since I started taking them but I was warned of that.

Nip into your pharmacist. S/he can help you with that.

Gael23

locum-motion wrote: »

Nip into your pharmacist. S/he can help you with that.

Might be a little hard to get a discreet space in there to ask such a question.
I do have something to take but im finding it hard to take because of the soreness in my mouth. Will give it another go later or in the morning.

ScouseMouse

The last three pharmacies I was in, had discreet consultation rooms to the side of the counter.

Dont be afraid of asking for a quiet word! I had to with a skin infection and was told to get me ass up to the hospital !!!

L1011

All pharmacies need to have a consultation room by now.

Gael23

I wouldn't be embarrassed to ask him but I'm just not sure if theres a space to do so where nobody else can hear.

locum-motion

ryanf1 wrote: »

Might be a little hard to get a discreet space in there to ask such a question...

ryanf1 wrote: »

I wouldn't be embarrassed to ask him but I'm just not sure if theres a space to do so where nobody else can hear.

I guess you must have missed the two other answers that appeared before you wrote that second one. Here they are again...

ScouseMouse wrote: »

The last three pharmacies I was in, had discreet consultation rooms to the side of the counter...

L1011 wrote: »

All pharmacies need to have a consultation room by now.

Even if pharmacies didn't have to have consultation areas/rooms available, there are a couple of other strategies you might employ, such as:
1. Having a quick look first to see if there are any other people in the pharmacy.
2. Speaking quietly.

But they do, so it's a non-issue.

You might also be surprised at how little most other members of the public care about what's bothering you. Mostly, even if there is someone else there in a position where they might overhear, they're not paying any attention. (Of course, on the other hand, there are occasional people whom you can actually see straining to hear every word, but they're quite rare really.)

Finally, even in a worst case scenario (no consultation area, loads of other customers in the pharmacy, pharmacist is half deaf so you have to shout, some oul wan is standing about six inches behind you and desperately earwigging, and then you spot your neighbour at the back of the queue), what do you care if any or all of them know you're constipated? It's constipation, FFS. It happens to virtually everybody on the planet at some time in their life. It's not a big scab on your genitals, or an STI. There's nothing to be embarrassed about.

braddun

Paracetamol is bad for you


http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/aches-and-pains/medicines/paracodol.html

Gael23

braddun wrote: »

Paracetamol is bad for you


http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/aches-and-pains/medicines/paracodol.html

For short term post operative use as in my case, the benefits outweigh the risks.
I managed to swallow some laxatives during the night so hopefully won't be so constipated in a few hours.

palmcut

braddun wrote: »

Paracetamol is bad for you


http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/aches-and-pains/medicines/paracodol.html

Bit of a generalisation there.

Overuse, abuse and misuse of Paracetamol is bad because it may lead to liver damage.

Short term use of Paracetamol within the recommended dosage is quite safe.

locum-motion

braddun wrote: »

Paracetamol is bad for you...

The link you posted DOES NOT refer to Paracetamol.
It refers to Paracodol, which is a specific product, although admittedly one that does contain Paracetamol as an ingredient.
And yes, it does list some warnings and some possible side effects and some possible reasons why a person shouldn't take it.
All of this, however, does not mean that Paracetamol is "...bad for you..." like you claim it is.
As my learned colleague Palmcut posted, it's perfectly safe as long as you use it appropriately.
The info provided in your link is designed to help a person make an informed decision as to whether it is appropriate or not.
Just because some people might not be able to take it safely, it doesn't mean it shouldn't be available for others to take.

If you're going to provide a link to back up a claim you make in a post, make sure that the link you provide actually says what you say it says.

Gael23

Slightly off topic but on the subject of pain relief.
I was given a pain blocker injection to the area while in theatre. What kind of drug would that have been? It left the surgical area totally numb for close to 24 hours.

EoghanIRL

ryanf1 wrote: »

Slightly off topic but on the subject of pain relief.
I was given a pain blocker injection to the area while in theatre. What kind of drug would that have been? It left the surgical area totally numb for close to 24 hours.

Definitely not your normal local anaesthetic block anyway .
Normal lidocaine doesn't last that long as far as I know .

Gael23

I did some research myself on opioid induced constipation and found an article intended for Doctors saying to treat patients for a short time with both stimulant and osmotic laxatives. So I took 2 senokot and a Movicol going for a better out than in approach. That worked so a few hours after I took 2 spoons of lactulose which gave me some diarrohea but again I think id rather that than be constipated

Vorsprung

Ryanf, this is turning into more of a blog about your personal medical issues.

Closed.